SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT
Department Head: Amy Bush
Each student is required to complete 3 credits in Social Studies. However, the Social Studies Department encourages students to complete more than the minimum requirement. Required Courses include Global History or World History, American or US History, American Politics or Government, and one elective.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
WORLD GEOGRAPHY
.5 credit
This course will cover both physical and cultural geography, while the units will be reinforced through the use of maps, graphs, charts and diagrams. This course will provide a foundation for all future Social Studies courses.
PREREQUISITE: None
CLASS STATUS: Freshman
HONORS GLOBAL HISTORY
1 credit
This course is designed to provide students with a challenging, in depth, look at the history of the human story. First semester begins 2 million years ago and continues through the age of Renaissance and Absolutism. Second semester begins with the enlightenment period and traces the themes of nationalism, imperialism, and democracy that dominated the 18th and 19th centuries. This course also focuses on National Socialism and Fascism and the impact of these ideologies on human rights. Students taking this course will be expected to write essays/papers, analyze historical readings, and interpret their impact on the political, economic and social aspects of society.
PREREQUISITES: Department Recommendation
CLASS STATUS: Freshman and Sophomore
ECONOMICS 1
.5 credit
This course will teach fundamental economic principles. Students will define basic economic terms. Microeconomics as well as macroeconomics will be covered. Emphasis will be placed on the role of the American Government on the economy. Students will study other concepts such as money and banking, the Federal Reserve System and the international economy. This course will enable students to view the economy with more realistic and tangible meaning in their everyday life.
PREREQUISITES: None
CLASS STATUS: Sophomore, Junior or Senior
WORLD HISTORY
1 credit
First semester, students will explore the origins and development of civilization by tracing its growth from its beginnings in the ancient world through the Middle Ages and into the 18th century. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of the contributions of those people from the past to our world today. Second semester is a study of the people, places, events, and ideas that affected the course of world history particularly in the 19th and 20th centuries. Students will learn how the past has shaped the world they live in today.
PREREQUISITES: None
CLASS STATUS: Sophomore
GLOBAL HISTORY
1 credit
First semester begins with the human story, two million years ago and continues through the classical period of history and its heirs: the Byzantine, Islamic and early medieval western worlds. Exploration of the Asian World and African World are included in this study. The student will also encounter the Age of Reason & Absolutism, as well as the corresponding religions, philosophies and governmental systems. Second semester begins with a study of the enlightenment period, and then traces the themes of nationalism, imperialism and democracy that dominated the 18th and 19th centuries. Students will examine and analyze the effects of those ideas, not only on Europe, but on other parts of the world as well. The remainder of the course will focus on the people, events, and ideas of the 20th century.
PREREQUISITES: None
CLASS STATUS: Sophomore
LAW IN A FREE SOCIETY
.5 credit
In this course the student explores the role of law in a free society and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. Emphasis is placed on understanding the legal and judicial systems, and on increasing the student’s ability to exercise her legal rights and responsibilities.
PREREQUISITES: None
CLASS STATUS: Sophomore, Junior and Senior
CURRENT ISSUES
.5 credit
This course is designed to enable students to develop a better understanding of some of the issues, topics and events that are impacting our country and our world today. This is not intended to be merely a study of current events as they happen, but rather a more in-depth examination of important ideas, issues and challenges. This study, of necessity, will include not only historical background, but also geography, politics, economics, cultural and social issues. Current Issues may only be taken once.
PREREQUISITES: World History, Global History or Honors Global History
CLASS STATUS: Sophomore, Junior or Senior
*ACC UNITED STATES HISTORY TO 1865
.5 credit
(Saint Louis University title: HS X260: History of the U.S. to 1865)
In this college credit, American History course the student will explore several broad themes vital to the understanding of American History and factors which influence its development. Students will be required to view primary resources, develop their historical interpretation, be challenged to analyze events and present several papers. Students will be required to use Pius X Library at St. Louis University. The student may earn .5 (weighted) high school credit and/or 3 hours of college credit through Saint Louis University.
PREREQUISITES: Global History and Department Recommendation
CLASS STATUS: Junior
* ACC UNITED STATES HISTORY SINCE 1865
.5 credit
(Saint Louis University title: HS X261: History of the U.S. Since 1865)
In this college credit, American History course the student will explore several broad themes vital to the understanding of American History and factors which influence its development. Students will be required to view primary resources, develop their historical interpretation, be challenged to analyze events and present several papers. Students will be required to use Pius X Library at St. Louis University. The student may earn .5 (weighted) high school credit and/or 3 hours of college credit through Saint Louis University.
PREREQUISITES: Global History and Department Recommendation
CLASS STATUS: Junior
US HISTORY 1 credit
The purpose of this course is to provide a historical awareness and foundation to the people, places and events which shaped the United States of America. US History will study the founding of America to Post-cold War America. Key issues and events of American development are examined. Student will use charts, graphs, and maps along with readings for this study.
PREREQUISITES: Global History and Department Recommendation
CLASS STATUS: Junior
AMERICAN HISTORY
1 credit
The purpose of this course is to provide students with opportunities to discover the importance of people, events, challenges which shapes American History. American History will study the founding of America to Post-cold War America. Students will use charts, graphs, and maps along with readings for this study.
PREREQUISITES: World History and Department Recommendation
CLASS STATUS: Junior
INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY
.5 credit
In this course basic sociological terminology and concepts are introduced. Students will examine the structure and function of society, the universality and diversity of culture, the process of socialization, and the characteristics of a community. This study will enable students to view the world more objectively, and to understand how their lives are influenced by society and how they as individuals can in turn affect society.
PREREQUISITES: None
CLASS STATUS: Junior or Senior
AMERICAN POLITICS
.5 credit
This course is designed to prepare each student for her role as a responsible citizen who understands the basic democratic values and principles upon which the US government is based. In her study, the student will explore the historical and philosophical foundations of the US Constitution, the expansion of suffrage, and the structure of the government as it exists today. The course also includes a unit on the Missouri state constitution.
PREREQUISITES: US History and Department Recommendation
CLASS STATUS: Senior
AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
.5 credit
This course is designed to provide a better understanding of the American system of government, the U. S. Constitution, and basic democratic values and principles. Emphasis is placed on raising the student’s awareness of her responsibility as a participant in the democratic process. This course also includes a unit on the Missouri state constitution.
PREREQUISITES: American History
CLASS STATUS: Senior
*HONORS AMERICAN POLITICS
.5 credit
This course is designed to give the student an in depth look at American Politics. The student will analyze “Who governs and how does it affect our lives.” Students will examine how government makes or fails to make decisions about a large variety of concrete issues. The student will examine government policies and where the individuals who make these policies seem to exert the greatest power.
PREREQUISITES: US History and Department Recommendation
CLASS STATUS: Senior